Who says that you can never start playing sports too early?
The past few weeks I have been lucky enough to have been a witness to, as well as a participant in a few sporting events that I will tell you about in this and future blogs.
As I walked to my assigned court I could feel my stomach getting tighter and tighter as I got closer to the gate leading to the court. I never felt like this ever in all my years of playing tennis. But today was a different day, today was the first day that I would be teaching tennis to a court full of 5 year olds. The Tot-Tennis Training Program as they call it, surely could not be that hard right? When I signed up to teach the class I was sure that I could do this with my eyes closed. I love to play tennis. I love the whole playing with anyone who wants to enjoy the sport as much as I do. This was a no brainer. But when I opened the the gate and ten little sets of wide eyes turned my way. It was, I'll admit, a little scary.
After introducing myself (FYI- Mr.Ray is much easier for the kiddos than Mr. Kubicsko) to the kids and their parents, we got down to business of having some fun. For some of the kids this was the first time on the court, much less knowing anything about how to play tennis. So our goal this day was just to introduce themselves to their racquets, the tennis balls and the court. Pink racquets for the girls and blue ones for the boys. Even kids know that! The dumping of 200 tennis balls on the court was a hit. Lots of giggles and laughing as they scrambled to pick them all up. One little girl said they felt soft like her bunny rabbit. I'll remember that one to ease the tension the next time I'm serving for a match. For some cardio, I started them marching around the lines of the court single file, then a little faster and then to an all out sprint. At that point I had to slow it down because of some kids were stumbling, bumbling, berman style. We then visited the "net". Why is it so high? Was one of the questions I got. Won't the ball go through the holes in the net? was another winner.
At the end of the first class I had 10 happy students and one even happier Coach.
Coach Sportsfreaks methods are mysterious.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pick Me ! Pick Me !
Last week I signed up for friendly tennis tournament, signing up about 1.5 hours before the event. Warmed up relaxed and feeling loose for my match, time comes to play. Ray is not listed to participate. What?!! 64 players signed up. I know I signed up. But to no avail, I was the 65th. The Tennis Nazi announces "NO TENNIS FOR YOU!". Not sure how this could have happened, but it did. So as respectful as I could be leaving the court, I hit a ball over the fence, took my racket and went home. I think Johnny Mac would have asked me for a bit more.
I haven't felt that slighted since finding raisins in my Trick or Treat bag.
A close 2nd was last month when a guy at the Y decided he didn't want me as his 5th for a game. (Me? I'm channeling Kiki Vandeweghe, his loss.). Got him back when he asked me this week to play so he could get a run in and I told him I was not interested. Loving every minute of him sitting on the bleachers as I drained a few more practice shots. Karma!
Ultimate slights:
Being the last pick in dodge ball- if you wore glasses it was an automatic.
Having a girl being picked before you (a boy!). Boy o boy , have you got problems.
66th best college basketball team. So the teams record is 14-17. It still hurts.
Having your High-Five attempt go un-recognized. There is no smooth way to bring your arm back down and hope that no one saw you get dissed.
Even the elite of sports have their own ways of telling players about their shortcoming but try to say it in the nicest ways possible.
He is a "grinder" or "scrappy" player= fields his position...can't hit worth a damn.
That player has "intangibles" = very smart...not very talented.
A fine "complimentary" player =
you want to be a.. your never going to be a...you never were a... STAR.
A "Serviceable" big man = you take up space nicely.
A "Smart" base runner = if you run any slower, you will go backwards.
A "Utility" man = 10 more years of playing for 10 more teams around the league.
A "Middle Relief Man"= pitchers purgatory.
Can't go more than 3 1/3 in a start.. can't close a close one.
the sportsfreak WANTS YOU to keep reading!
I haven't felt that slighted since finding raisins in my Trick or Treat bag.
A close 2nd was last month when a guy at the Y decided he didn't want me as his 5th for a game. (Me? I'm channeling Kiki Vandeweghe, his loss.). Got him back when he asked me this week to play so he could get a run in and I told him I was not interested. Loving every minute of him sitting on the bleachers as I drained a few more practice shots. Karma!
Ultimate slights:
Being the last pick in dodge ball- if you wore glasses it was an automatic.
Having a girl being picked before you (a boy!). Boy o boy , have you got problems.
66th best college basketball team. So the teams record is 14-17. It still hurts.
Having your High-Five attempt go un-recognized. There is no smooth way to bring your arm back down and hope that no one saw you get dissed.
Even the elite of sports have their own ways of telling players about their shortcoming but try to say it in the nicest ways possible.
He is a "grinder" or "scrappy" player= fields his position...can't hit worth a damn.
That player has "intangibles" = very smart...not very talented.
A fine "complimentary" player =
you want to be a.. your never going to be a...you never were a... STAR.
A "Serviceable" big man = you take up space nicely.
A "Smart" base runner = if you run any slower, you will go backwards.
A "Utility" man = 10 more years of playing for 10 more teams around the league.
A "Middle Relief Man"= pitchers purgatory.
Can't go more than 3 1/3 in a start.. can't close a close one.
the sportsfreak WANTS YOU to keep reading!
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